MissionFiT’s Challenge the National Parks Reaches the Finish Line!
MissionFiT’s Hiking Teams have reached the finish line at last! Each team is transitioning from foot work to “Fall” work, including new school schedules and home routines for kids and parents, alike. And where do they hang up their hiking boots? On the coconut trees of the tropical islands of Hawaii and American Samoa!
Sunrise, Sunset on Haleakala
Want to see spectacular starts to your day? Visit Haleakala National Park. Sunrise, a daily event we take for granted, is so popular, visitors need to make reservations to see these natural wonders. Haleakala is also a refuge for hikers, backpackers and campers. Hikers can find a trail of any length, from a quarter mile to an all-day trek in the Summit District or the Kipahulu District of the park.
Holua Cabin
And, if you don’t feel like walking to your campsite, you can always partake in “Drive-Up Camping“. For the adventurer, backpack through the wilderness country of Haleakala to one of the wilderness cabins nestled within the park’s mountain ranges.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Kamokuna lava flow into the ocean
Want to know how islands form? Visit The Volcanoes. The island of Hawaii is the home of Mauna Loa and four other active volcanoes. Several volcanoes erupt for several years but the longest eruption within the Hawaiian Islands belongs to Puʻu ʻŌʻō. The eastern shoulder of Kilauea began flowing lava in 1983 and stopped in 2018.
Volcanoes National Park is home to many different species of animals, plants and birds. Several are even listed as endangered species.
But the park also suffers from invasive species including pigs, goats, mongooses, fire ants and the Coqui frog. Called Coquistadors, these little buggers, native of Puerto Rico, were introduced to Hawaii in the 1980’s through potted plants.
American Samoa
The South Pacific is rich with history, culture, and a generous number of marine wildlife and fishes. American Samoa is no exception. You can snorkel or dive, hike the islands or walk the beaches. But no matter what you decide, you will find something unique to remember your visit. Also, The National Park of American Samoa offers visitors a real stay-cation. The Homestay Program allows visitors the chance to stay with certain Samoan families and learn the culture in a village setting. So, participants take part in activities villagers do every day and learn first hand about life in the South Pacific.
A Multi-Purpose Plant
We may think of coconut as an ingredient in cooking or a delightful oil. But the Samoan people have developed many uses for the coconut. For instance, workers hand weave the fibers from the outer shell into strong cords or sennit. These cords have many uses, including binding beams together. Only the roots of the plant are not used for some purpose.
Official Standings
A-Mays-ing Hikers
The Seelig Family
The Bishop Family
The Johnstone Family
The Daniel Family
The Schlottman Family
The Renfrow Family
